John 3:16 Marketing Network

We are a Christian Network that promotes Christian books through press releases, social networking, blog showcases, and charities, including the orphans in Nepal and Wakulla Correctional.
Don't forget to check out the free books on the site - right column following book trailers.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Nine of ten ministers know three or more peers who've been forced out of pastoral positions; a third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation; and at any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. American church decline has reached epidemic proportions and in the last century, church influence has waned nearly 60%. Pastoral attrition is either an indicator of that problem or a central part of it. Why Your Pastor Left presents detailed statistics and identifies the top ten “Ministry Killers” that cause pastoral stress and eventual “burnout.” *** Moments after our pastor exited the building that afternoon in 2008, most of the congregation sat in shock. A tiny—but powerful minority wore victorious smiles, at the ministers ousting. The lady to my left wept. Her pleading question kept me awake all night. “Why did our pastor have to leave?” I also wanted answers, and began to research the problems ministers face; this book is filled with those discoveries.Amazon Review: Data, research, and stories about American pastoral decline. Nine of ten ministers know three or more peers who've been forced out of pastoral positions; a third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation; and at any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. American church decline has reached epidemic proportions and in the last century, church influence has waned nearly 60%. Pastoral attrition is either an indicator of that problem or a central part of it. Why Your Pastor Left presents detailed statistics and identifies the top ten “Ministry Killers” that cause pastoral stress and eventual “burnout.” *** Moments after our pastor exited the building that afternoon in 2008, most of the congregation sat in shock. A tiny—but powerful minority wore victorious smiles, at the ministers ousting. The lady to my left wept. Her pleading question kept me awake all night. “Why did our pastor have to leave?” I also wanted answers, and began to research the problems ministers face; this book is filled with those discoveries.

Education: Schmitz attained a Biblical Studies degree and a Youth Ministry minor from Trinity Bible College in 2003 and went on to gain a Masters of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014.

Other: he is generally known as a decent guitarist and played/sang in a rock band for several years. Schmitz is also a bagpipe player and has been known to pop up in random places and play them.

Currently Working On:

John in the John (a daily devo--first in a series--meant to be left in the bathroom)

Fear in a Land Without Shadows (a Christian horror/apocalyptic sci-fi), an untitled nonfiction book about Christian responsibility vs stumbling blocks

Editing a re-release of my Christian fantasy book series (The Kakos Realm) which is very much a Game of Thrones meets evangelical Christianity

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

I have read and enjoyed each book in this series as they have been released and I have to say that this one is the best of the series! Roberts has hit her stride as an author. Each story builds on the one before. Although each can be read as a stand-alone, the reader could experience some confusion due to not having details from preceding stories. In this story, we get to know Daniel, who has played more of a supporting role in other books. It takes us ever closer to the end of time. It is clearly a Christian take on how history will end.

Daniel and Shale are in Jerusalem in their quest to find Daniel’s father who is somehow connected with the "portals" that make time travel possible. Bombs falling everywhere. They become guardians of an orphan girl. Daniel’s mother dies. While betrothed, Shale longs to be married but events keep happening that prevent even the planning of a wedding. Daniel comes to understand his calling—one of 144,000 witnesses who will die by martyrdom! Perhaps we will find in the next in the series how that works out for Shale? Fast-paced action—a 21st-century man chariot racing?—keeps the reader engaged from the first page.Writing craft—Author, Roberts, has done her homework.• The information of the culture (social and religious) at the time of Christ is very well researched, very thorough.• Well edited. The reader is not distracted by technical errors.• Excellent and intricate plotting. I can only imagine what the author’s office looked like during this process! No “slow” places in the story.• Excellent weaving of multiple genres.• Characters have grown and matured as individuals. Excellent development of the series.I appreciated how Roberts has been able to extract a storyline from the plethora of details in the body of work on eschatology. The sheer volume overwhelms me.Highly recommend this book. Although written for the YA audience, anyone who enjoys a fast-paced story with a bent for the supernatural, and just the right amount of romance, would enjoy this story regardless of age.

Read Lisa's review after this interview with our new John 316 Marketing Network friend.

Welcome
to John 316 marketing network. Tell us about yourself Susan.

I’m cursed or blessed with wanderlust – not
sure which, but I always long to be anywhere but here. Beaches, mountains,
deserts, caves, and canyons…I love them all! When wandering isn’t an option, I
work at the Schaumburg Library (public relations) and have a side business
giving presentations on travel, writing, and human trafficking. Born in Chicago,
I grew up in Berwyn, Illinois and graduated from Northern Illinois University
with a degree in journalism and a determination to become a reporter. From a
newsroom in Berwyn to a television station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, my dream
became a reality. Eventually, I found my way back home and ended up in
Schaumburg, IL. I’m a member of Willow Creek Community Church, vice president
of the ACFW’s Chicago Chapter, and a new member of SCBWI. On the homefront, I’m
happily married to a police sergeant and the proud mom of a daughter, son,
stepdaughter, and one incredibly adorable Cleo cat.

How
long have you been writing and what’s your biggest reward?

I won
the Arbor Day poetry contest at school in fourth grade, so I guess I’ve been writing
awhile. I loved being a reporter for my high school and college newspapers, and
was so excited to see my first byline after getting hired by my hometown
newspaper. From there I went into television, then public relations, but always
had a longing to write fiction. Healer was my first attempt. It began as an
opening scene, which was based on a childhood memory of seeing a dog get hit by
a car. I couldn’t help that dog, but the dog in my book has a much better
ending to his story. Biggest reward? Getting my first book published (Show Me a
Sign) and having a high school teacher tell me she had some reluctant readers
who loved it and hoped I’d write more books.

What
kind of material do you write?

My
published works include two young adult novels, Healer and Show Me a Sign, and
three short stories in anthologies (two nonfiction, one fiction). Last spring,
I indie-published a children’s animal poetry book which I co-wrote with my
sister, Patt Nicholls. It includes full page wildlife photos that were taken by
me and nature photographer Robert Kramer.

I see
that you work in a library. How does that come alongside your journey as an
author?

It’s
been a great asset. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many authors who visited
the library, which has facilitated some good connections. Two of the guys I
work with are great with technology, so one helps with my website, and the
other with book trailers. My office-mate is the library’s graphic designer and
has provided great assistance with posters, flyers, bookmarks, etc. My
librarian co-workers have helped with all kinds of things, from research to
social media to helping me understand what teens want in a book. And they’ve
been wonderfully supportive. Additionally, I work in public relations, which
means I have many local media contacts. That comes in handy when it’s time to
market a book. The library job has been a blessing, no doubt about it.

Tell
us about Healer.

Hovering
just below the surface of Shilo Giannelli’s average existence lays an amazing
spiritual power. Late one night, her world erupts with the revelation that,
like her great-grandmother, she has The Gift. But the power to heal isn’t
something she can share with the soccer team, her genius little sister, or her
boyfriend, Kenji. Definitely not Kenji.

Deep
beneath Misty Morning’s tough façade is a lifetime of abandonment, foster homes
and broken dreams. When her two-year-old son is abused by her boyfriend, her
fragile world shatters…until Shilo prays for Tyler, and he is healed, leaving
Misty grateful but incredibly curious.

Shilo
can’t give Misty the answers she needs; she only knows she has a God-given
destiny, and despite facing strained relationships, impossible decisions, and
the threat of being hounded day and night for her abilities, she will fulfill
it.

The
journey Misty and Shilo take together unites them as friends but invites danger
into their lives. And it will take a miracle for these unlikely friends to
elude a gang bent on revenge, keep The Gift a secret, trust God in
extraordinary circumstances, and hold on to the people they love.

What
would you like readers to tell others when they’ve finished reading?

Well
I’d love for them to say “Read this amazing book and write a review,” but I’m
pretty sure every author wants that. In truth, I hope readers will say they
were drawn to the characters, gripped by the plot, and touched by the messages
of faith, forgiveness, and using whatever God gives you to make a difference in
this world.

Who’s
been your biggest influence on your writing?

Some
awesome dead people: John Steinbeck, Michael Crichton andMargueriteHenry (my favorite childhood author), to name a few. And
some who are still alive and well: Lisa Samson and Patti Lacy, both of whom
helped enormously when Healer was in its infancy – not only with excellent
critiques, but also by example. You learn a lot by reading great writing. Since
I’m a fan of The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, I have to include Suzanne
Collins and J.K. Rowling, who provided good examples of how to keep teens
captivated and wanting more.

What
are you reading now?

This
Invitational Life, by Steve Carter, and whatever The Book Report sends me to
review. (I’ve been a reviewer for them for about eight years or so.) The last
one was Debbie Macomber’s Merry and Bright.

What’s
coming up for you?

Healer,
Book 2…I hope! But I’m also writing my first young adult sci/fi and I have a
women’s fiction manuscript that is near and dear to my heart. It’s about a
woman who accidentally kills her best friend’s five-year-old daughter, so it
starts out with a pretty hard tug on the reader’s heart.

Can
you share your favorite marketing tool?

Twitter.
A few years ago, I would never have believed I’d say that, but I’ve really
gotten into it for marketing and sharing nature and wildlife photos.

Thanks for sharing, Susan.

****************************

Lisa's Review of Healer, by Susan Miura

A young lady on the verge of adulthood is thrust into a lifestyle of
secrets at a vulnerable time. Just when she can see an inviting future filled
with college, music, faith, and especially a wonderful, almost
too-good-to-be-true boyfriend, Kenji, Shilo learns of a fearsome and awe-inspiring
family secret that’s been passed down through the generations. Under dire
warning from her mother, Shilo must never, ever tell anyone. But it’s a secret
Shilo can’t hide.

Sixteen, ready for the best summer of her life, Shilo experiences
her second use of a God-given Gift when she accidentally heals a child. She
learns early on, though, that the Gift cannot be taken lightly or for granted.
Despite her mother’s warnings of becoming a media frenzy or even delusional
with power, Shilo is put in an uncompromising position when her boyfriend’s
life is at stake. Under the influence of enormous family stress, Shilo has
pushed Kenji away, something that’s tearing her apart. Their reunion and subsequent
revelations may not result in all that she or her family wish, but the words
and actions cannot be undone.

Miura’s story is a nicely shaped and paced young adult story that’s
well defined. The real angst of teenagers and tweens is lovingly created with a
cast of characters that will leave a mark on the reader. Told through multiple
first-person viewpoints, Shilo’s appeal as a young lady in love, mature, yet
vulnerable, is a great story to share with young people. This is a lengthy book
for young adult, so although I recommend for seventh grade and up, younger
readers should be good readers. Younger readers should have parental
supervision regarding some mature situations (teenage pregnancy, abuse, drug
running, some violence, and serious injury).

The theme of obedience running through the story, speaking to
trust, conscience, responsibility, obedience to authority figures such as teachers
and pastor, parents, and especially to faith in God and acting on that faith,
is wonderfully illustrated.

Six weeks later, on a day after her flight schedule had returned her to Miami, she stood in the kitchen and sorted through her collected mail. She had a letter from Wayne and put it aside while she went through the remainder of the envelopes. Finally, she opened the most important mail first—Wayne’s letter.

He wrote about more trivia than usual, seemingly to fill the page: his work kept him busy, the usual hot weather for the end of July, he’d taken his car in for servicing. Then on the second page, Joyce read the heart of his letter: I’ve met someone.

Those three words hit her like a physical blow to her midsection. The letter slipped from her hands onto the floor. She instinctively hugged herself and bent over at the waist. Rushing to the bathroom, she sank onto the cold tile floor on her knees and heaved into the toilet. Afterward, she rolled off a handful of tissue to wipe her mouth and then stood at the sink. She splashed cold water on her face and then cupped a handful into her mouth to rinse it out. Absently, she reached for a towel to dry her face.

Then bracing both hands on the sink, she stared into the mirror. The image there mocked her. You told him he’d probably be married and have kids when the next reunion rolled around. Remember? He’s just followed your advice, Miss Smarty Pants. He offered his heart to you on a silver platter, and you didn’t reach for it. Like it or not, you’ve created a situation you’ll have to learn to live with if you want to keep Wayne’s friendship.

Tears ran down her cheeks and dripped into the sink. She didn’t try to stop them. Throughout the years, their friendship had never caused her to cry. Until the reunion and now after reading his letter. Until she’d admitted to herself she loved Wayne. Why did loving someone have to hurt so much? Oh, she’d been so wrong about everything. She should have resisted the fear his kiss had brought about and kissed him back. Giving into her fright and refusing his love had been her biggest mistake.

Having a best buddy is awesome but when returning home for a class reunion and that buddy has something he has always wanted to tell you he says that night. Could this be the right timing for him to say something? Is God bringing them together so His plan for their lives goes the way he planned it? Wonderful sweet romance. Well written by Jo Huddleston.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Now is the perfect time to pick up this planner from Amazon from award-winning author Pamela Carmichael.

Reflection Questions to Prepare for your New Living Success Year!

This is a very exciting time of the year for me! I love this time of celebration but also see it as a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and planning. During the year-end season and even before, I take time to look ahead to the New Year. I start this process by spending a few minutes reviewing the past months.

In my Make Your Year a Living Success Goals Workbook I have a section called, “What Made the Year Great (Or Not So Great)?” I use these questions as a time to celebrate the past, give thanks to God, say goodbye to the ugliness of the past and pave the way for a good future. The intention of this exercise is not the dwell on failures or shoulda coulda's but learn from the past and do things differently going forward.

Ask yourself the following questions to help you review the previous year:

1.What am I most happy about in the past year?

2.What kind of sweet surprises did I experience?

3.Three things that I am most grateful to God for doing in my life.

4.What new dream or goal did I achieve?

5.Looking back, what would I have done differently?

6.Where did I let fear hold me back from accomplishing a goal I had?

7.Are there any regrets or disappointments that I keep rehashing and need to let go of?

8.Is there any unfinished business that I need to resolve? When will I do it? (E.g. relationship resolution or forgiveness, apologies, goals not yet achieve, decluttering, financial reviews, etc.)

9.What new and inspiring people did I meet?

10.Who would I like to get closer to in the coming year? (Remember, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely!)

Apart from answering myself these question, I write a letter to the Lord. Every December 31 morning (or a few days before the year-end), I would rise up earlier to spend time with the Lord and to do write this letter. Usually, I would focus on what I am thankful for. But often I would recall some of the events of the year and write how I saw the Lord working in these times for my benefit. Through this writing, there would be pauses to verbally express thanks, to wipe the tears from my eyes and to just bask in the presence of God.

Apart from the questions above, consider taking some time out to write a love letter to God to honour Him for all He is done in your life in the previous year. Through this, you will see how much you have grown over the past months and be motivated to keep moving forward towards your upcoming life plans.

As you write the answers to these questions and/or write a love letter to God, you’ll experience joy and gratitude even at the small stuff.

When you’re done, leave a comment below and share a little of what you’d love to accomplish in the New Year.

*~*~*~*

I have been looking for a workbook like this since I saw the Dragontree Journal on Facebook. But as a Christian, the Dragontree Journal is too New Age-y for me. When Pam Carmichael asked me to review her workbook, I jumped at the chance to compare it to another new Christian journal I had just purchased.

The reflections are very personal and Christ-oriented, which is what I was looking for. It also has organizers, metacognitive visualizers to think, brainstorm, and be productive. I love that Carmichael reminds the user to leave room for God to intervene in your plans with his plan. Perfect! She also has Goal sheets that she reminds the I'm very thrilled with this product, better than the one I had purchased.

PAMELA CARMICHAEL is a financial services professional with over 18 years experience. In her Christian walk, the burning question to God has always been: Why do Christians struggle with finances? With a desire to see Christians grow in the area of personal financial management, she wrote "Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God's Will". She hopes that you will grow and become financially empowered as you apply God's principles to your personal financial management strategies. You can visit her website at http://www.pamelavcarmichael.com/